The story centers around the hero, Hawk, trying to find out who murdered the woman whom he adored from afar. Foley made this fresh by making her married and unattainable, a sort of illusion. The heroine in this book really is great--Belinda (Bel) Hamilton. Be warned there is violence, and I admire Foley for showing it the way she did. It was a great success because our heroine Bel then becomes a courtesan. Egads!--no virginal, whiny, glaring, or chin-lifting heroine! Bel has real heart and courage. And of course, Hawk and Bel actually fall in love, over time, for all the right reasons.